Apparatus for installing ceiling wallboard

ABSTRACT

A dead man support apparatus for use in installing wallboard on a ceiling structure which includes a column. The column has first and second coaxial sections that cooperate telescopically and are spring biased in a direction that axial extends each section with respect to the other section. The apparatus also includes a contact member mounted on an axial extremity of the column. In some forms of the invention the spring is a coil compressions spring. One of the first and second coaxial sections may be a hollow cylindrical section. The relative axial travel between the first and second coaxial sections may be about 4 inches. In some cases the column has a length that is between 7 and 8 feet. At least a part thereof may be manufactured of fiberglass, aluminum or other light weight material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to apparatus used in the construction trades and more particularly to apparatus for installing wallboard on the ceilings of residential and commercial buildings.

The prior art includes so-called “dead man” apparatus for such installations tasks. Such apparatus typically includes a vertical member to which is affixed a horizontal contact surface. The length of the vertical member is dimensioned to allow the wallboard installer to wedge the apparatus under a portion of a given sheet of wallboard with a lower extremity against the floor of the room in which the wallboard is being installed. The apparatus allows a single installer to temporarily retain the wallboard in place while the wallboard is secured to rafters or other building structure. More particularly, the prior apparatus eliminates the need for another worker to hold the wallboard during the installation process.

The prior art apparatus also includes variations of this apparatus in which the vertical member includes telescopic sections which are lockable by a pin which can extend through respective sets of apertures in the sections to adjust the length of the vertical member to any of a number of predetermined axial positions.

While this prior art apparatus is convenient for many installations it suffers from lack of flexibility. The precise length of the apparatus required for different job sites is not exactly the same. Even if the nominal ceiling height for respective buildings is the same, the exact vertical dimension of the tool required to snugly secure the wallboard in place is not exactly the same. In addition, even in the same building in some cases the vertical dimension is not the same within one room, much less from one room to another. Stated another way, the working tolerances on both residential and commercial construction do not provide for perfection and maintaining absolute dimensions that have no deviation from a single standard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus that will increase the productivity of workers using the apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus that will be convenient for a worker to use.

It has now been found that these and other objects of the invention may be attained in a dead man support apparatus for use in installing wallboard on a ceiling structure which includes a column, the column having first and second coaxial sections that cooperate telescopically and are spring biased in a direction that axial extends each section with respect to the other section and a contact member mounted on an axial extremity of the column.

In some forms of the invention the spring is a coil compressions spring. One of the first and second coaxial sections may be a hollow cylindrical section. The relative axial travel between the first and second coaxial sections may be about 4 inches. In some cases the column has a length that is between 7 and 8 feet. At least a part thereof may be manufactured of fiberglass, aluminum or other light weight material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will better understood by reference the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the prior art dead man apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the vertical column portion of the apparatus in accordance with one form of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown the prior art dead man apparatus 100 having a vertical member or column 102 and a contact member 104 four engagement with the wallboard (not shown) during installation. Often this apparatus is assembled and manufactured at the job site.

In one form of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention the column 102 is replaced by the column 105 shown in FIG. 2. This apparatus includes two telescoping coaxial members 110, 120. The member 120 is both cylindrical and hollow to allow sliding telescopic movement therebetween. A spring 130 extends between the closed end of the member 110 and they closed end of the member 120 to urge the axial extension of the member 120 with respect to the member 110. Bearing services 140, 150 may be provided at the interface between the members 110, 120 although other embodiments may not include such surfaces. In preferred embodiments, the spring 130 may have a spring rate that provide the necessary force to support a sheet of wallboard and a length that allows a throw of about inches. Still other embodiments may have larger throws. Ordinarily, at least one section will be a hollow cylindrical section to allow the axial nesting or telescoping. The hollow cylindrical section may be either the upper or lower axial part of the column.

Ordinarily, at least one section will be a hollow cylindrical section to allow the axial nesting or telescoping. The hollow cylindrical section may be either the upper or lower axial part of the column.

In some embodiments, the members 110, 120 may be manufactured of fiberglass. Other embodiments may utilize aluminum or other lightweight materials.

Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompass other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” 

1. A dead man support apparatus for use in installing wallboard on a ceiling structure which comprises: a column, said column having first and second coaxial sections that cooperate telescopically and are spring biased in a direction that axial extends each section with respect to the other section; and a contact member mounted on an axial extremity of said column.
 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said spring is a coil compressions spring.
 3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein one of said first and second coaxial sections is a hollow cylindrical section.
 4. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the relative axial travel between said first and second coaxial sections is about 4 inches.
 5. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said column has a length that is between seven and 8 feet.
 6. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein one of said first and second coaxial sections is a hollow cylindrical section.
 7. The apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein one of said first and second coaxial sections is a hollow cylindrical section.
 8. The apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein one of said first and second coaxial sections is a hollow cylindrical section.
 9. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the relative axial travel between said first and second coaxial sections is about 4 inches.
 10. The apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the relative axial travel between said first and second coaxial sections is about 4 inches.
 11. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said column has a length that is between seven and 8 feet.
 12. The apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said column has a length that is between seven and 8 feet.
 13. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein at least a part thereof is manufactured of fiberglass.
 14. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein at least a part thereof is manufactured of fiberglass.
 15. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein at least a part thereof is manufactured of fiberglass.
 16. The apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein at least a part thereof is manufactured of fiberglass.
 17. The apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein at least a part thereof is manufactured of fiberglass.
 18. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein at least a part thereof is manufactured of aluminum.
 19. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein at least a part thereof is manufactured of aluminum.
 20. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein at least a part thereof is manufactured of aluminum. 